Honda HR-V problems
149 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 43 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 19,000–59,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…
Driving at highway speed, the car lost power and would not drive over 40 MPH. I brought it to the dealer and was told the transmission had metal shaving in the fluid and the transmission would need to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda HR-V. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
I’m having an issue where the odometer/trip/fuel display is dark when I start the car and then it will flicker on and off with gibberish. Eventually it will display accurately.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Honda HR-V reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Honda HR-V is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2018 Honda HR-V?
The 2018 Honda HR-V is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 43 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 19,000–59,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Honda HR-V?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 43 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 36,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 36,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Honda HR-V has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Honda HR-V?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 149 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.